Tensioning device



G. A. HINRlcHl-:R 2,163,039

TENS IONING DEVICE June 20, 1939.

Filed Feb. lO, 19256 57 l i. 37 y BY /0 l I Zar@ W Patented June 20,193.`

PATENT OFFICE TENSIONIN G DEVICE Gerhardt Anton Hinricher, Chicago,Ill., assignon to Reynolds Electric Company, Chicago, Ill., a

corporation of Illinois Application February 10, 1936, Serial No. 63,069

Claims.

This invention relates to tensioning devices and more particularlydevices of the type adapted for use in tensioning wire while being woundinto coils or thev like for use in electrical ap- 5 paratus.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a simple, dependableand accurate wire tensioning device that is sensitive, adjustable over awide range, and will maintain a substantially l`1 0 uniform tensionirrespective of irregularities that are usually encountered in supplyingwire to a winding machine.

In producing coils for electrical devices it is important that coils forcertain uses have an l5 exact predetermined number of windings orconvolutions. Other coils for different uses require a predeterminedlength of wire in the coil to procure the desired electricalcharacteristics. Owing to the fact that the wire as supplied by .20 themanufacturer on the reels or spools may not always be uniformly wound,and because there frequentlyare variations in the degree of frictionalassociation between adjacent convolutions of wire on the wire supplyreels, it is important 25 that a wire tensioning device affordsensitive,

accurate and adjustable control on the wire as it is Wound into coils.

In order to perform entirely satisfactorily the actual tension on thewire as it is wound into coils, must not vary within any appreciabledegree in that the convolutions should be uniform in size and result inutilizing a uniform or predetermined quantity of wire corresponding tothe predetermined or required computed length.

` Variations in tension will frequently cause the sioning means forimparting and maintaining a substantially uniform tension on wire as itis wound into coils.

Still another object is the provision of irnproved adjustable wiretensioning means for imparting and maintaining a substantially uniformand predetermined tension on wire as it is wound into coils.

A further object consists in the provision of novel friction brakingmeans in wire tensioning 55 devices for controlling and maintaining asubstantially uniform tension on wire as it is withdrawn from a supplyreel.

A still further object is to provide a friction control for awire`tensioning device that is adjustable to regulateV and maintain aselected ten- V5 sion within a predetermined range.

Still a further object is to provide novel friction means in a wiretensioning device that is adjustab-le within a wide range forcontrolling the tension of wire operatively connected there- 10 with.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a device^l5 embodying featuresof the present invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse view partly in section and partly in elevationtaken substantially as indicated along II-II in Figure, 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional l.20 view of an adjustableconnection which permits adjusting the device for accommodating wires ofdiiferent gauges.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a base member I0 castorV otherwise shaped to; provide two upwardly extending arms I land I2,respectively, the arm I2 terminating -in an offset bearing bracket I3for accommodating and sustaining a rocker arm I4 to be hereinafterdescribed. J ournaled in said upright frame arms I I 30 A and I2 is ahorizontally disposed shaft I5 having an extension I6 projecting beyondthe frame arm II. Bearings I'I and I8 are provided in the frame arms IIand I2 to rotatably support the shaft I5 with its wire supply reelsupporting an 35 extension I6, and axial displacement is precluded bybearing plates I9 and 2li fixed to the frame arms Il and I2 to retainthe bearings I'I and I8 in position.

A wire supply reel or spool 2| (shown in dotted outline-Figure 1) ismounted on the shaft extension IB for engagement therewith by means of apair of frusto-conical core gripping blocks 22 and 23. The core block 22is, in this instance, rigidly secured to the shaft extension I6 while 45the core block 23 is axially movable thereon for frictional engagementtherewith through the medium of longitudinal slots 24 that provides thenecessary spreading resilience to normally engage the shaft extension I6at any desired positionl 50 therealong. The reels 2l having the wiresupply wound thereon, are normally supplied with a central tubular coreor axial bore into which the core gripping blocks 22 and 23 arefrictionally engaged by displacing the displaceable core block 55 24against the side of the reel 2| after it is placed in operativepositionagainst the block 22 on the shaft extension I6. In consequencethereof, it will be apparent that a wire supply reel 2l will rotate inunison with the shaft I5 by withdrawing wire under tension owing to thepull exerted by the coil winding feed mechanism or the like. Therotation of the shaft I5 is, in this instance, controlled by anadjustable tensioning device preferably comprising a disc 26 having ahub 21 enabling the rigid attachment thereof through the medium of ascrew or other fastener 28 on the shaft I5 intermediate the frame YarmsII and I2.

A brake shoe or member 29 is adapted for cooperative engagement with thedisc 26, the

shoe 29 being composed of fiber or other material having a relativelyhigh coefficient of friction. The shoe brake 29 is also disc shaped toconfront the metallic disc 26, it being mounted by laterally extendingangle brackets 38 and 3| attached thereto so as to provide a pivotalmounting as at 32 and 33 along a transverse horizontal line to a yoke34. The yoke 34 has furcated lower members 35 and 36 which envelope orstraddle the shaft I5 for pivotal connection to the sides of the base I0by means of a pivot pin 3T that projects therethrough. As shown, theyoke 34 is adapted to be displaced so as to bring the pivotalnon-rotating friction shoe 29 into and out of contact with theconfronting rotating disc 26 and, .because of the pivotal mounting ofthe shoe 29, the latter is normally disposed at an angle oblique to thecooperating face of the disc 26 when these confronting members aredisengaged (Figure 1).

It will now be apparent that as the shoe 29 is moved into frictionalengagement with the rotating disc 26, the upper portion of the shoe 29is first brought into contact with a relatively small portion of thesurface area of the disc member 26 and, as the shoe 29 is moved infurther engagement or contact with the disc 26, the extent of frictionalcontact between the disc members 26 and 29 will gradually andVprogressively increase until the total operative areas of said membersare in engagement. These friction elements 26 and 29 are normally urgedinto operative frictional relation to each other by a coil spring 38anchored at one end to yoke 34 by a threaded member 39 with theotherextremity connected to a rod 49 that projects through the offsetbearing bracket I3 extending from the frame arm l2. The extremity 4I ofthe rod 4I] is threaded to receive a thumb nut 42 which enablesvariations in the tension of the spring 38 to regulate or control thenormal approaching urge between the confronting surfaces of the disc 26and the shoe 29. When the disc members 26 and 29 are separated, thepivotal mounting of the latter is such to effect tilting in thedirection of the disc 26; therefore, a projecting stud 43 is provided onthe yoke 34 to limit the extent of tilting to a practical andadvantageous degree.

Journaled in the offset vbearing I3 of the frame arm I2 is thetransversely extending rocker arm I4 which has an offset lever arm 44 inthe form of a rod extending in the general direction of the primaryshaft I5. The lever arm or rod 44 normally assumes an upwardly obliqueposition, and the upper end thereof terminates in a transverse extension45 to carry a guide roller in the form of a anged idler or sheave wheel46. A nut or other fastener 41 threadedly engages the lever armextension 45 to retain the rotatable sheave 46 thereon. A wire 48extending from the supply reel 2|, is trained thereover for supplyingwire 49 to a coil winding or other machine requiring wire for conversioninto preformed coils and the like. It is to be noted that the offsetbearing bracket I3 is transversely slotted as at 49 in communicationwith the rock shaft I4 to `accommodate an upwardly extending rockinglever 59 which is xed to the rock shaft I4 by a pin 5I (Figure 3). Therocking lever 50 is formed with an upward extending lever slot 52defined by confronting arms 53 and 54, the latter `being longer than theformer for reasons which vwill appear more fully hereinafter.

The shorter rock lever arm 53 is in the slot 52 to confront a flatspring member 56 to frictionally engage and maintain a laterallyextending detent 51. 'I'he detent 51 is shaped to engage an individualtooth 55 and is connected to a lever 58. The opposite end of theconnecting lever 58 is pivotally connected as at 59 to the upper end ofthe yoke 34 (Figure 1) and the pivotal position of the latter with itsbrake shoe 29 is thus determined by the position of engagement of thedetent 5'I along the ratchet teeth 55. The wire 48 from the supply reel2| is trained around the idler wheel 46 and tensioned owing to the pullexerted by the winding machine (not shown). Consequently, the lever arm44 is displaced downwardly and, the rock shaft I4 which is an integralpart thereof, is displaced with the rocking lever 53 in clockwisedirection (viewed from Figure 1) and through the connecting lever 58,imparts movement to the yoke 34 which in turn shifts the friction shoe29 away from the confronting disc 26. This allows the shaft I5 with thesupply reel 2|v to rotate more readily and, therefore, diminish the pullon tension on the wire 48,

It will be manifest that when the wire as it is unwound from the storagereel 2I is relatively free, there is no appreciable amount of frictionalresistance in the mechanism thus far described. Then the tension exertedupon the wire 48 through the idler wheel 46 on the arm 45, will berelatively small so that the tensioning spring 38 acting directly on theyoke 34 will tend to maintain the braking shoe 29 in complete frictionalengagement with the cooperative disc member 25, for retarding therotation of the shaft I5 and the reel 2I which is mounted thereon.However, when the friction unwinding'from the supply reel 2l increases,the tension of the wire 48 acting through the idler 46 causes the leverarm 44 to move downwardly. This results in a corresponding degree ofdisengagement of the frictional shoe 29 with its cooperative disc 26,thereby reducing the friction load on the shaft I5, to permit it and thesupply reel 2I to rotate somewhat more freely in paying out the wire 48.

In other words, the instrumentalities are selfcompensating and isdirectly and automatically responsive to variation in the tension of thewire 46 as it is supplied from the reel 2l for main-` Therefore, thereis an adjustment for varying the tension or force necessary to effectengagement and disengagement of the cooperative members 26 and 29.Adjustment is afforded by the displacement of the detent 51 relative toits confronting ratchet teeth 55 on the rocking lever arm 53. When thedetent 58 is disposed in a certain notch 55, such corresponds to anadjustment creating a predetermined tension for handling wire of apredetermined gauge and each of the notches 55 provide selected tensionsto be maintained on Wires of different gauges, and the surface of therocking lever 5D adjacent the notches 55 may, if desired, becorrespondingly calibrated. When the detent 51 is disposed in theuppermost notch 55, it corresponds to an adjustment for imparting theproper tension to wire of a maximum gauge for use in connection with atensioning device Within the range thereof.

Similarly, with the detent 51 disposed in the lowermost notch 55, thisposition corresponds to an adjustment for the smallest gauge of wire tobe used with the device. It is to be noted that the upper extremity ofthe bearing bracket I3 is notched as 6l) to accommodate the adjacentedge of the lever 58 when the detent 51 is in registry with thelowermost notch or ratchet tooth 55. Consequently, within these twoextreme positions of adjustment a relatively wide .range of differentgauges vof wire or tensions may be provided for in properly supplyingsuch for different requirements. Should it be desired to provide ormaintain a tension for a gauge of wire intermediate the sizecorresponding to two adjacent notch adjustments of the rocking lever 50and the detent 51, such size wire is accommodated or tensionaccomplished by varying the tension in spring 38 through themanipulation of the nut 42, to obtain a sensitive control or finetension adjustment acting upon the yoke 34 for urging the non-rotatingfriction shoe 29 toward its cooperating rotating disc 26.

It will be observed that the different positions of adjustment of thedetentl 5B along the notches 55 provide different effective lever armlengths ofI the rocking lever 5U. Thus when the detent 51 is positionedin the uppermost notch 55 corresponding to the position for using theheaviest gauge wire within the range of any particular device, theeffective arm length of the rocking lever 55 is the greatest. Therefore,less movement of the upper end of rod 44 carrying idler 46 will berequired to impart movement through lever 58 for displacing the frictionshoe 29 toward or away from the disc 26 than when the detent 51 isdisposed in the lower notches 55 to result in a shorter effective leverarm length for lever 55. This necessitates a greater range of movementof the outer end of lever arm 44 and idler 46 for moving the frictionshoe 29 into and out of operative engagement with the disc 25. It mustfollow that it requires more force to cause such movement of frictionshoe 29 when detent 51 is in the uppermost notch, than when the detent51 is disposed in a lower notch 55. Such an arrangement is essentialbecause the heavier the gauge of wire employed the more force isnecessary to maintain the wire under desired tension or for that matterthe gauge of Wire may be ignored and only the effective tension may bethe basis of Calibrating the different positions on the rocking lever50.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinspecifically described Without departing from or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing hereinshall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept orstructural embodiment as to the Whole or any part thereof except asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A friction brake including a rotatable member, a cooperatingnon-rotatable member, and a yoke member for moving the latter into andout of operative engagement with the former, said non-rotatable memberbeing pivotally mounted on and carried by said yoke member to normallyassume an oblique angle to the cooperating surface of the rotatablemember, whereby movement of said yoke member toward said rotatablemember progressively effects cooperative contact be` tweensaid rotatableand non-rotatable members so that said non-rotatable member swings aboutits pivot mounting to gradually increase the area of contact with saidrotatable member.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame,of a wire supply reel supporting shaft journalled in said frame, abraking disc carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, a frictiondisc tiltably mounted on said frame to cooperate with said braking discfor retarding the rotation of said shaft, a wire guide supporting memberoperatively connected to said tiltably mounted disc for controlling theextent of frictional reaction between said discs, and spring means forimparting a predetermined urge on said wire guide supporting member forcontrolling contact between said discs.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame,of a wire supply reel supporting shaft journalled in said frame, abraking disc xedly carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, anotherbraking disc pivotally mounted on said frame to cooperate with saidfirst named braking disc for retarding the rotation of said shaft tocontrol the wire tension eX- erted in rotating said supply reelsupporting shaft, adjustable means for controlling the relative initialpositions of said braking discs, and means for varying said adjustablemeans for requiring a predetermined tension to bring said braking discsinto initial contact.

4. A wire tensioning device comprising a frame, a shaft journalled insaid frame to support a wire reel, a lever member pivotally mounted onsaid frame, a wire guide support rockably mounted on said frame, a flatfriction surface element mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith,another flat frictional surface element carried by said lever arm inconfronting relation with said first named friction element, a linkadjustably interposed between said lever arm, and Wire guide support toregulate the relative positions of said friction elements, and springmeans for urging said lever arm in a predetermined direction opposingthe tension exertedfby a wire traversing over said guide and unwindingfrom the reel.

5. A wire tensioning device comprising a frame, a shaft journalled insaid frame to support a wire reel, a lever member pivotally mounted onsaid frame, a wire guide support rockably mounted on said frame, a flatfriction surface element mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith,another at frictional surface element carried by said lever arm inconfronting relation with said rst named friction element, a linkadjustably interposed between said lever arm and wire guide support toregulate the relative positions of said friction elements responsive tothe tension of the wire for controlling the speed of rotation of theshaft and automatically maintaining substantially uniform tension in thewire, spring means for urging said lever arm in a predetermineddirection opposing the tension exerted by a wire traversing over saidguide and unwinding from the reel, and means for varying the tension insaid spring.

6. A wire tensioning device comprising a frame, a shaft journalled insaid frame to support a Wire reel, a lever member pivotally mounted onsaid frame, a wire guide supportrockably mounted on said frame, afriction element mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, anotherfrictional element pivotally carried by said lever arm in confrontingrelation with said first named friction element, a link adjustablyinterposed between said lever arm and Wire guide support to regulate therelative positions of said friction elements, spring means for urgingsaid lever arm in a predetermined direction opposing the tension exertedby a wire traversing over said guide and unwinding from the reel, andmeans for varying the tension in said spring.

7. A wire tensioning device comprising a frame, a shaft journalled insaid frame to support a wire reel, a movably mounted member on saidframe, a friction element carried by said shaft for rotation therewith,another friction element mounted on said movable member to confront saidfirst named friction element, a wire guide member rockably mounted onsaid frame, a serrated arm fixed to said wire guide member, a linkoperatively connected to said movably mounted member for adjustableassociation with said serrated wire guide arm to vary the confrontingrelation between said frictional elements responsive to the tension ofthe Wire over said guide member, and spring means for urging saidfriction elements relative to each other.

8. A wire tensioning device comprising a frame, a shaft journalled insaid frame to support a wire reel, a movably mounted member on saidframe,

a friction element carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, anotherfriction element mounted on said movable frame member to confront saidfirst named friction element, a Wire guide member rockably mounted onsaid frame, a serrated arm fixed to said wire guide member, a linkoperatively connected to said movably mounted frame member foradjustable association with said serrated wire guide arm to vary theconfronting relation between said frictional elements, spring means forurging said friction elements relative to each other, andmeans foradjusting said spring means. l

9. A Wire tensioning device comprising a frame, a shaft journalled insaid frame to support a wire reel, a movably mounted member on saidframe, a friction element carried by said shaft for rotation therewith,another friction element rockably mounted on said movable frame memberto confront said first named friction element, a wire guide memberrockably mounted on said frame, a serrated arm fixed to said Wire guidemember, a link operatively connected to said movably mounted framemember for adjustable association With said serrated Wire guide arm tovary the confronting relation between said frictional elements, springmeans for urging said friction elements relative to each other, andmeans for adjusting said spring means.

10. A wire tensioning device comprising a frame, a shaft journalled insaid frame to support a Wire reel', a movably mounted member on saidframe, a Vfriction element carried by said shaft for rotation therewith,another friction element rockably mounted on said movable frame memberto angularly confront said first named friction element, a wire guidemember rockably mounted on said frame, a serrated arm fixed to said wireguide member, a link operatively connected to said movably mounted framemember for adjustable association with said serrated wire guide arm tovary the confronting relation between said frictional elements, springmeans for urging said friction elements relative to each G. A.HINRICHER.

